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GeorgiaSB 5692025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Motor Vehicles and Traffic; the issuance of emergency vehicle light permits for towing service companies in certain instances; provide

Sponsored By: Gail Davenport (Democrat), Emanuel Jones (Democrat), Derek Mallow (Democrat), Randy Robertson (Republican), Brian Strickland (Republican), Carden Summers (Republican)

Vetoed

Motor VehiclesPublic SafetyGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Faster, clearer notice after towing

When police or a property owner requests a tow, the towing firm must, within three days, submit the VIN and plate to the database and ask the department for owner information. The department must respond within five days and may charge up to $2.00 for owner information. Towing firms must send the standardized notice letter within "15 calendar seven days" by certified mail or by hand delivery with your signature and a copy of your driver’s license. The letter must list the vehicle location, removal fee, daily storage rate, that daily fees add until paid, which fees are recoverable, that a court filing may start after 10 days, and that a sale may be ordered. It must include a sworn form to disclaim ownership. If the owner is unknown or the department does not provide info in time, the firm must publish an ad within 60 days, once a week for two weeks, using the official form; timely VIN/plate entry in the database counts as sufficient notice. If your identity becomes known later, the firm must send the notice or a copy of any filed petition within 10 days.

Tow companies get emergency-light permits

Towing company vehicles now count as authorized emergency vehicles. If you join the DOT towing program or have a local government towing contract, and finish the required safety course, your need for red lights is treated as proven. The permit costs $2.00 per vehicle. Government agencies and ambulance providers do not pay the fee. Permits last five years. One special permit can cover many vehicles, but each vehicle still pays $2.00.

New court steps for towing liens

Towing firms may file to foreclose a lien from 10 days to 6 months after sending notice, using a sworn standard form; the filing fee is up to $11.00. They must attach owner information and proof they followed notice rules. They must send the oath page by certified mail or overnight delivery, include the standardized answer form, and courts accept electronic proof. If mail is unreturned or unclaimed after 10 days, or prior notice was by ad, they must publish a newspaper ad within 60 days, once a week for two weeks, with instructions to get the answer form. You may answer no later than "ten 30 calendar days" after you get the notice, or within 10 days after the ad period ends. If you answer, the court holds a trial within 10 days and decides if the tow was lawful, if the lien is limited to recoverable fees, if notice was proper, and whether storage fees keep accruing after filing; a certified order copy may cost up to $14.00. If no answer, the judge must rule on the motion within 15 days; if granted, the car is deemed abandoned and the court orders disposition within 5 days; a certified copy may cost up to $14.00. If notice rules are broken, the vehicle may be re-impounded and earlier daily storage fees must be waived.

New database to find towed cars

The department must set rules to create a towed vehicle database by October 1, 2026. The database must work by January 1, 2027 and accept entries when a car is removed. Owners can search by VIN or license plate to find the car’s location. A nonprofit 501(c)(6) can run it, but must keep at least a $1,000,000 surety bond, pass CPA data security audits, and keep records for five years.

Green flashing lights banned on roads

It is illegal to use flashing green lights on public property. Police, fire, emergency management, and other government agencies may still use green lights to mark an emergency command post.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Gail Davenport

    Democrat • Senate

  • Emanuel Jones

    Democrat • Senate

  • Derek Mallow

    Democrat • Senate

  • Randy Robertson

    Republican • Senate

  • Brian Strickland

    Republican • Senate

  • Carden Summers

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Eddie Lumsden

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 249 • No: 11

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 44 • No: 6 • Other: 3

House vote • 3/27/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 160 • No: 0 • Other: 6

Senate vote • 3/6/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 45 • No: 5 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Senate Date Signed by Governor

    5/12/2026Senate

  2. Veto V12

    5/12/2026

  3. Senate Sent to Governor

    4/10/2026Senate

  4. Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub

    3/31/2026Senate

  5. House Third Readers

    3/27/2026House

  6. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/27/2026House

  7. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/18/2026House

  8. House Second Readers

    3/10/2026House

  9. House First Readers

    3/9/2026House

  10. Senate Tabled

    3/6/2026Senate

  11. Senate Taken from Table

    3/6/2026Senate

  12. Senate Third Read

    3/6/2026Senate

  13. Senate Passed/Adopted

    3/6/2026Senate

  14. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    3/4/2026Senate

  15. Senate Read Second Time

    3/4/2026Senate

  16. Senate Read and Referred

    2/25/2026Senate

  17. Senate Hopper

    2/24/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • SB 569/AP* (v7)

    PDF

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